Steam boiler



y 1954 4 J. T. OXFORD 2,684,663

STEAM BOILER Filed March 5, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 inventor l2 By JOHN T. OXFORD,

flay/041M201? Attorneys y 1954 J. T. OXFORD 2,684,663

STEAM BOILER Filed March 5. 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG, 7

{nventor JOHNT. OXFORD,

Attorneys.

July 27, 1954 J OXFORD 2,684,663

STEAM BOILER Filed March 3', 195:: 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 6

Inventor JOHN T. OXFORD,

July 2 7, 1954 Filed March 5, 1950 FIG. 3

J. T. OXFORD STEAM BOILER 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inventor JOHN T. ox FORD,

67:19., q Md Wag Attorneys July 27, 1954 .1. T. OXFORD 2,684,663

STEAM BOILER Filed March 3, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventor JOHN T. OXFOR D,

By 6/ 22. Wmz

Attorneys Patented July 27, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to steam boilers, and more particularly to boilers of the water tube type.

An object of the invention is to provide a boiler that will produce the maximum amount of steam for the fuel consumed, and produce it quickly and rapidly. To this end, the invention contemplates the use of fire tubes in combination with the water tubes, so as to efliciently utilize all of the heat.

Another object is to devise a boiler of this character which shall be compact, and occupy a minimum amount of space per horsepower.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a boiler which can be economically and easily manufactured, and which, while assembled by welding, shall be substantially free from strain.

In order that the invention may be readily understood, reference is had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a boiler of the horizontal type, embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof on an enlarged scale, parts being broken away;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section substantially on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transverse section on an enlarged scale substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a vertical type of boiler embodying the invention;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section on an enlarged scale through the boiler shown in Fig. 5, parts being broken away; and v Fig. 7 is a vertical section substantially on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings in detail and more particularly, first, to Figs. 1-4 thereof, my improved boiler comprises a pair of spaced parallel side water legs-designated in their entirety by the numerals l and 2.

These water legs are each formed of upper and lower trough-shaped sections or parts of similar size united by welding, with their edges in abutting relation. The leg I comprises the upper and lower sections I and l respectively, welded together at l, while the water leg 2 comprises the upper and lower sections 2 and 2*, respectively, welded together at 2.

It will be observed, particularly by reference to Fig. 4, thateach of the parts such as 2 and 2 is channel-shaped in cross section, and. when as- 2 sembled as shown forms a hollow box-like structure.

As also best shown in Fig. 4, a series of fire tubes such as 2 extend transversely through each channel-shaped section of each water leg and have their ends beaded into the opposite side walls thereof.

Two series of substantially semicircular water tubes extend between and connect the water legs I and 2. The upper series comprises tubes 3 and 4, while the lower series comprises tubes 5 and 6. As clearly shown in Fig. 3, these tubes 3 and 4,

and 5 and 6, are of alternately different radii,

so that they present a staggered arrangement, the tubes 3 and 5 being smaller and the tubes 4 and 6 being larger. It will be observed that the assembly of these tubes and water legs, as shown in Fig. 2, defines a substantially cylindrical structure.

In manufacturing my improved boiler, the ends of the tubes 3, 4 and 5, 6 are first inserted and beaded into the respective sections l 2 and l 2 of the two water legs, and these sections are then assembled with their edges in abutting relation, and welded together as indicated at I and 2.

The boiler is supported by means of front legs 1, 8 and rear legs I, B, which engage under the side water legs I and 2.

At the lower side of the boiler is a bottom water leg 9, likewise formed of two channel-shaped sections 9 and 9 welded together at 9 with their edges in abutting relation. Nipples l0 and H connect the bottom water leg with the midpoint of the lower series of tubes 5 and 6, one end of these nipples being welded into the respective tubes, and the other end being beaded into the upper section 9a of the lower water leg before the sections are welded together. A feed water pipe I2 delivers into the bottom water leg 9, as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

At the top of the boiler is a steam drum I 3, this also being preferably made of two trough-shaped sections l3 and I3, welded together at I3 with their edges in abutting relation, the same as the water legs.

The usual pressure gauge [4 and water gauge l 5 are preferably mounted on the steam drum I3.

The lower section of this steam drum is connected with the mid-points of the upper series of tubes 3 and 4 by means of nipples l6 and I1, one end of these nipples being welded to the tubes, and the other end being beaded into the lower section of the steam drum, before the two sections are assembled. v

The cylindrical tube structure above described,

and the water legs I and 2 are enclosed within a shell or casing of sheet metal provided with a refractory lining. The metal shell preferably consists of a pair of end members [8 and a pair of semicylindrical side members [9, the latter being attached to the steam drum and bottom water leg, as indicated at I9 and [9 The refractory lining is indicated at 20.

The end wall 18 of the casing is formed with a central opening to receive the delivery; nozzle 2| of a conventional or *any suitable oil-burner, shown in broken lines at 22 in Fig. 1. A flue 23 taps the rear end wall of the casing at a point near the center, as shown in Fig. 3, and extends thence upwardly toward and is secured to the end of the steam drum l3. Suitable dampers 23 and 23 are preferably provided inthis flue.

Extending longitudinally through the steam drum I3 are upper and lower series of fire tubes 24. The flue 23 communicates with the open endsofv the lower series of'suchw fire tubes, while at the front of the boiler the two series of tubes are connected by a cover-plate 25. The rear end of the upper-series-of tubescommunicates with a second flue'ZEi, which discharges into a suitable chimneyor stack .21.

From the foregoing it will be seen'that'the flame orproducts of combustion from the burner nozzle 2| are directed substantially axially ofthe cylindrical boiler, and that these products of combustion circulate around the Water tubes 3, 4, and 6, "as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 3, escaping throughthefl-ue. 23 and passing from this fluethrough'the fire tubes 24, and thence out through the flue 126 into the stack. Steam is delivered from-the pipe;- 28 tapping the 'upper Wall of the steam :drum.

- It willbe observed'that the Water tubes.3, ,4, 5 and 6 all lie in parallel planes which are substantially at right :angles to the :axis'ofthe: cylindrical "boiler and. at.right. angles to'ithe .direction of flow .of the products 'of combustion. 5 Hence the products of-combustion envelop and impinge directly 'upon;these-.tubes';thus effectively heating the same. "'Thetubes are. also heated byuheat reflected on them from the refractory lining ZO of the boilercasin'g', which: is f course wholly outside of butzadj-acent the tubes.

Since the products of combustionzpass' through the flue 23"into.andthroughrthetfire tubes-24, any heat which is not absorbed :by the watertubes will be efiectivelytransferred .tothe water-surrounding the afireitubes, and thus a minimum amount of I heat-is permitted to escape to the stack. It will of course be understoodthatthe water level is maintained at a point-above the firetubes24.

Referring now to Figs. 5', 6 and 7; I have illustrated how theinvention can be embodied in a boiler of- .the'vertical type.

In this boiler I arrange a pair of water legs vertically at opposite sides of a generally cylindrical iboileigas" shown :at29, 30 in Fig.- 6.' Each of th'ese'waterlegs, as inthe previous figures, comprises a pair of trough-shaped sections welded together with their edges in abutting-relation. In Fig. 7, the-sections of theleg 30 are designated 30* and 30 welded together at 30.

Extending between and connecting the water legs-'29 and 30 are two series of horizontally disposed substantiallysemicircular water tubes '31, 32 and 33,34. As in the previous figures, these water tubes are of alternately different radii so as 'to present a staggered arrangement. They all he in planes parallel with each other and'at right -31 with their edges in abutting relation. The

,upper-.-end of each water leg opens through the bottom of the steam drum and is welded thereto, as' indicatedet 2%) and 30 Thus the water entering the lower. ends of the water legs rises through the same and escapes from the upper ends thereof into the steam drum.

In order to control this upward flow of Water and steam, I preferably provide baiiie plates 38 andBfldisposed above the open upper ends-of. the respective water legs and supported on posts 38* and 39 respectively. Steam-is deliveredlfrom the steam. drum through pipe w.

The boiler is illustrated-as formed with a lower section 46- below the'bottomof :the water legs, and in this section may. be located a suitable burner, and fluid fuel .such as gas, supplied through pipe 6 l.

Surrounding the watertubesand waterlegs above described is a cylindrical-casing d2 provided with a refractory. lining 43,. as before.

The usual pressuregauge :and water gauge 45 are. preferably mounted vonthe steam drum, as shown in Fig. 5.

In order to afford access to the. interioiwof the casing for cleaning or inspection, the casing is preferably provided-With removable topsections 41, as shown in Figs. 5-and 7,--one disposed at each side. of the steamdrum. Extending. upwardly from the point Where the removable sections 41 engage the steam drum is astack throat comprising the outwardly inclined sections. 58, vertical sections 49 and converging section as, terminating in thestack 5 l Inside of the throat structure 49, 50 and spaced therefrom is a similarrstructure-52, 53, constituting an inner partition. .Theslo-we-redge' of this inner partition. is--;-secured to the sides of. the steam drum at a point .iustbelow the water level therein.

.Extending diagonally through the 1ower-.-section of the steam-drum, .andhavz-ing their ends beaded .in-to 113118 walls :thereof, .are two :sets: of oppositelysinclined fire-tubes-- .54. These. tubes are disposed in crossing relation, as. indicated. in Fig. '7.

The lowers-ends .zof these tubes- :open :into the combustion space within the boiler casingebelow the .steamndrum; ;whilethe. upper ends oi the tubes open into "the. space :between" the; inner :and outer structures, -50, 53..abovezdescribed.

The products-10f r-combustionripassing' upwardly from the burner at the bottom ;of; the boiler impinge-directly at right .anglesr-agai-nst.the water tubes 3|,- 32, :33 "and 34;:thus :efiectivelyheating the same and :-'ti1en-.-flow out "through zthe :-fire tubes .54', :and thence between the irm'er'an'diouter throat structures, to thestack; Thusanyi heat remaining in the gases after passin 'the water tubes is absorbed by'the water surrounding the fire tubes and a minimum amount of "heat is allowed toescape t'o' the'stack.

' The space withinthe inner partition-53 is heated by the products of combustion passing through the space between the inner and outer throat structures, and serves to subject the steam in the steam drum to a relatively low temperature superheating. The upper part of the steam drum, it will be observed, is protected from direct contact with the products of combustion.

From the foregoing it will be observed that the same general principles are employed in both the horizontal and vertical types of boiler, and that the same construction and method of assembly are employed in all water legs and also in the steam drums. It will be further seen that in both types of boiler, the water tubes are relied or to provide the main heating effect, but this is supplemented by fire tubes, for the purpose of extracting the maximum amount of heat from the products of combustion before they pass to the stack.

While I have described my improved boiler as fired by gas or oil, it will be obvious that it may be equally well fired by coal, as for example, by placing a grate in the bottom section 46 of Figs. 5 to 7, the structure being slightly modified to provide a suitable air supply, in the usual manner.

What I claim is:

1. A water tube boiler of the vertical type comprising a cylindrical casing, a pair of vertical water legs in said casing at diametrically opposite sides thereof, two series of horizontally disposed, substantially semicircular tubes extending between and connecting said water legs, a steam drum with which the upper ends of both of said water legs communicate, fire tubes extending diagonally across said steam drum entirely below the water level therein and having their ends opening through the vertical side walls thereof, one end of said fire tubes communicating with the interior of said casing, a stack, and means connecting the other end of said tubes with said stack.

A water tube boiler of the vertical type comprising a cylindrical casing, a pair of vertical water legs in said casing at diametrically opposite sides thereof, two series of horizontally disposed, substantially semicircular tubes extending between and connecting said water legs, a steam drum with which the upper ends of both of said water legs communicate, said drum having vertical side walls, two sets of oppositely inclined fire tubes extending diagonally across said steam drum at an angle to said side walls and having their ends opening through the same, the lower end of each of said sets of fire tubes communicating with the interior of said casing, a stack, and means connectin the upper ends of each of said sets of fire tubes with said stack.

3. A water tube boiler of the vertical type comprising a cylindrical casing, a pair of vertical water legs in said casing at diametrically opposite sides thereof, two series of horizontally disposed, substantially semicircular tubes extending between and connecting said water legs, a steam drum with which the upper ends of both of said water legs communicate, two sets of oppositely inclined fire tubes extending diagonally across said steam drum and having their ends opening through the side walls thereof, the lower end of each of said sets of fire tubes communicating with the interior of said casing, a stack, and a stack throat structure comprising inner and outer walls,

' the space between said walls serving as a conduit connecting the upper ends of each of said sets of fire tubes with said stack, said inner wall enclosing the upper part of said steam drum.

4. A Water-tube boiler, substantially circular in cross-section, having a pair of water legs disposed at diametrically opposite sides thereof, two series of substantially semi-circular water tubes connecting said water legs, an elongated steam drum having a horizontal bottom mounted above said tubes and water legs and communicating therewith, fire tubes extending diagonally transversely through said steam drum, and means for causing products of combustion to fiow first axially through said boiler around said water tubes and in contact with the said bottom of said steam drum and then out through said fire tubes.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 556,697 Schlieper Mar. 17, 1896 959,612 Rosenthal et al May 31, 1910 1,163,602 Lamprey Dec. 7, 1915 1,188,968 Meier June 27, 1916 1,208,813 Meier Dec. 19, 1916 1,224,105 Davison Apr. 24, 1917 1,475,411 Ross Nov. 27, 1923 1,485,616 Jones Mar. 4, 1924 1,598,062 Dienner et al. Aug. 31, 19 6 2,374,882 Nagel May 1, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 29,972 Great Britain Dec. 29, 1896 

